Analyst's Disclosure: I/we have no stock, option or similar derivative position in any of the companies mentioned, and no plans to initiate any such positions within the next 72 hours. I wrote this article myself, and it expresses my own opinions. I am not receiving compensation for it (other than from Seeking Alpha). I have no business relationship with any company whose stock is mentioned in this article. I gave a buy rating to Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings (NYSE: NCLH ) in January, with my key thesis be ...

Carnival Cruise Line is Now the Leading Cruise Operator in Australia as Global Fleet Grows to Record 29 ShipsSYDNEY, March 28, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Marking an exciting new chapter for Carnival Cruise Line as Australia's leading cruise operator, Carnival Adventure and Carnival Encounter are preparing to embark on their maiden voyages, delivering more signature Carnival fun to guests departing from Sydney and Brisbane. With the addition of these two ships, Carnival Cruise Line now has the largest fleet of shi ...

Core Insights - Wyndham Travel Bundles allows travelers to customize their entire vacation experience, including flights, hotel stays, rental cars, excursions, and post-cruise getaways, all in one platform [1][6] - The partnership with Carnival Cruise Line enhances the travel experience by allowing members to earn Wyndham Rewards points on cruise bundle reservations, as well as on airfare and car rentals [2][3] Wyndham Travel Bundles - Members earn one Wyndham Rewards point per dollar spent on cruise bundle reservations, with additional points for airfare, car rentals, and hotel stays, including up to 10 points per dollar on qualifying hotel stays [3] - The platform was developed in collaboration with Snowstorm Technologies, and requires that cruise bundles include at least one night at a Wyndham hotel [6] Carnival Cruise Line - Carnival Cruise Line is recognized as the world's most popular cruise line, known for its extensive reach and variety of cruise options, including new exclusive destinations like Celebration Key [2][10] - The company operates a fleet of 27 ships and is set to expand with seven new ships by 2033, reflecting ongoing growth in the cruise industry [10] Wyndham Rewards Program - Wyndham Rewards is the largest hotel rewards program, with approximately 114 million members globally, offering generous point redemption options starting at 7,500 points for free nights [7] - Members can earn guaranteed points with every qualified stay, enhancing the overall value of the Wyndham Travel Bundles [7]

The page numbering is dependent on the placeholder text boxes on the page layout in the master view, so please DO NOT remove them Reports Record-Setting First Quarter Operating Results Outperforms December Guidance Raises Full Year 2025 Guidance First Quarter 2025 Earnings Presentation Because forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties, there are many factors that could cause our actual results, performance or achievements to differ materially from those expressed or implied by our forward-l ...

Core Insights - Cunard has unveiled a newly refurbished Queen Elizabeth, set to debut in Miami and Alaska, enhancing its luxury cruise offerings [1][7] - The ship's transformation includes revitalized signature spaces and outdoor decks, aimed at providing guests with better ocean views and relaxation areas [2][4] - The introduction of wellness-focused amenities, including The Pavilion Wellness Café and Harper's Bazaar Wellness at Sea program, reflects a growing trend towards health and wellness in luxury travel [5][6] Group 1: Ship Refurbishment - Queen Elizabeth underwent a three-week makeover in Singapore, enhancing its capacity to host 2,000 guests [1] - Signature spaces like the Commodore Club and Queens Room have been thoughtfully revitalized to connect guests with the ocean [2][3] - Outdoor decks have been revamped with more sunshades to improve guest experience in warmer weather [2] Group 2: Luxury Experience - The Grills experience has been elevated with enhanced interiors and new furniture for sunset cocktails, emphasizing comfort and style [4] - Cunard's commitment to luxury is highlighted by partnerships with renowned chefs and curated entertainment options [10] Group 3: Wellness Initiatives - The Pavilion Wellness Café offers a menu focused on plant-based cuisine and sustainably sourced ingredients, catering to health-conscious travelers [5] - The Harper's Bazaar Wellness at Sea program provides tailored wellness packages, enhancing the rejuvenating experience at sea [6] Group 4: Market Expansion - For the first time, Queen Elizabeth will spend a full season in Miami, offering roundtrip Caribbean voyages ranging from nine to 28 nights [7] - The itineraries include popular destinations such as Montego Bay, San Juan, and St John's, appealing to travelers from both sides of the Atlantic [7] Group 5: Company Background - Cunard, a luxury British cruise line, has been operating since 1840 and is celebrating 185 years in 2025 [10] - The company currently operates four ships, including the newly launched Queen Anne, marking a significant expansion in its fleet [11]

Financial Highlights - Full year 2024 adjusted gross margin growth was 140% compared to 2023[10] - Full year 2024 adjusted EBITDA growth was 237% compared to 2023[10] - Full year 2024 net leverage was 24x[10] - Full year 2024 ROIC was 408%[10] - Q4 2024 total revenue reached $135 billion compared to $112 billion in Q4 2023[18] - Full year 2024 total revenue reached $5334 billion compared to $4710 billion in 2023[18] - Full year 2024 net income was $153 million, a significant improvement from a loss of $185 billion in 2023[18] Market Position - Viking has over 50% direct bookings[13] - Viking holds 24% of the luxury ocean market share[13] - Viking has 52% of the North American outbound river market share[13] Future Outlook - Advance bookings for 2025 are strong, with $53 billion already booked[26] - Capacity PCD increase of 12% for 2025[26] - 88% of capacity PCDs for 2025 have already been sold[26]

Wall Street has been on a wild ride in recent weeks, witnessing the wipeout of a staggering $3.5 trillion from the market capitalization in 14 days. According to CompaniesMarketCap data, the total market capitalization of U.S. stocks plunged from $62.2 trillion as of Feb. 19 to $58.7 trillion as of March 7. The loss amount is greater than the GDP of the United Kingdom and roughly equal to Apple’s market value or the combined worth of Meta, Tesla and Netflix. The S&P 500 wrapped up the worst week since Septe ...

Core Viewpoint - There are several growth stocks available at attractive valuations, making them potential long-term investment opportunities despite market perceptions of high prices. Group 1: Carnival Corp. - Carnival Corp. is currently trading at a forward price-to-earnings (P/E) multiple of less than 14, despite strong growth expectations of 20% earnings growth for the year [3][5]. - The company has exceeded its initial guidance for 2024 and is expected to continue improving its bottom line into 2025, benefiting from the affordability of cruises during challenging economic times [4]. - The stock has appreciated around 50% in the past year, but there may still be significant upside potential for new investors [5]. Group 2: Baidu - Baidu is trading at a forward P/E of less than 9, making it an attractive option in the artificial intelligence (AI) sector, with a reported 26% revenue growth in its AI cloud business during the last quarter of 2024 [6]. - The company's AI chatbot, Ernie, processed approximately 1.65 billion API calls in December, and a next-generation AI model is expected to be unveiled soon [7]. - Despite recent struggles, Baidu's AI business growth could provide significant future upside, although investors may need to be patient due to geopolitical uncertainties [8]. Group 3: PayPal - PayPal reported $8.4 billion in revenue for the last quarter of 2024, with modest growth attributed to its Venmo peer-to-peer payment app, which saw a 10% increase in payment volume [9][11]. - The Venmo debit card experienced a 30% increase in monthly active accounts last year, indicating potential for continued growth as more merchants accept it [10]. - With a low forward P/E of 14, PayPal remains a strong investment option, especially as the economy improves and its Venmo business expands [12].

Itineraries introduce travelers to the wild beauty of the Pacific Northwest and MexicoSEATTLE, March 5, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Holland America Line opened its 2026-2027 Mexico and Pacific Coast seasons, with itineraries designed to help guests authentically connect with the regions. The Mexico season includes longer cruises up to 12 days, visiting well-known favorites as well as rarely-called-at gems like Loreto. The Pacific Coast Season spotlights the cruise line's expertise in the region — especially highli ...

Core Insights - Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd. (NCLH) reported strong fourth-quarter 2024 results, with earnings and revenues exceeding the Zacks Consensus Estimate, showing year-over-year growth [1][3][4] Financial Performance - Adjusted earnings per share for Q4 were 26 cents, surpassing the consensus estimate of 11 cents, compared to an adjusted loss of 18 cents in the prior-year quarter [3] - Quarterly revenues reached $2.11 billion, beating the consensus mark of $2.09 billion, and increased from $1.99 billion in the prior-year quarter [3] - Passenger ticket revenues were $1.41 billion, up from $1.33 billion year-over-year, while onboard and other revenues rose to $700.6 million from $653.4 million [4] Cost Management - Total cruise operating expenses decreased by 1.1% year-over-year to $1.31 billion, attributed to lower commissions, transportation, and fuel costs, although partially offset by higher onboard costs and payroll expenses [5] - Gross cruise costs per Capacity Day were $285.92, up from $279.52 in the prior year, while adjusted net cruise costs (excluding fuel) per Capacity Day increased to $157.54 from $150.70 [6] 2024 Highlights - Total revenues for 2024 were $9.48 billion, an increase from $8.55 billion in 2023 [7] - Adjusted EBITDA for 2024 was $2.45 billion, compared to $1.86 billion in 2023, and adjusted earnings per share rose to $1.82 from 70 cents [7] Balance Sheet - As of December 31, 2024, cash and cash equivalents were $190.8 million, down from $402.4 million at the end of 2023, while long-term debt decreased to $11.78 billion from $12.31 billion [8] Booking and Demand - The company reported strong consumer demand across itineraries and brands, with occupancy during the quarter at 104.9% and advance ticket sales balance of $3.2 billion [10] - Bookings are expected to remain optimal into 2025 and 2026 [10] Guidance - For Q1 2025, NCLH anticipates occupancy of approximately 101.5% and adjusted EBITDA of about $435 million, with adjusted EPS predicted to be nearly 8 cents [11] - For the full year 2025, occupancy is expected to be around 103.4%, with adjusted EBITDA projected at nearly $2.72 billion and adjusted EPS at nearly $2.05 [12]